I know it's kinda last minute, but someone below mentioned self-made ID badges, and since I make the ones that my company's employees use, I decided to make one myself, and it occurred to me that others might want to use it, so if anyone else wants to, you can download it at: http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/1904/wikibadgeas8.jpg. You can put your username, your real name, or both. It's a double-image so that if you want, you can fold it in half and laminate it or put it in a badge holder. Or, you could just cut it in half and print it onto an adhesive label and stick it on yourself. Whatever. Go crazy. Nightscream 16:28, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

--rocketrye12talk/contribs 16:01, 25 June 2007 (UTC) I will absolutely make it! I'm not sure if i'll recognize anyone, but it will be a good chance to mingle. Count me in, and, think of me if you need help planning/organizing anything.

I should be free. But how are you going to get all us fidgety recluses to interact with each other? :-) — Omegatron 02:35, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

I've been getting that annoying banner for weeks, and I'll probably be in the neighborhood, so why not? :) Adam 03:55, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Weirdest coincidence. Just logged on to Wikipedia while visiting the USA -- got that universe-wide banner advertising this meeting. As planned several months ago, will be in Central Park with wife & some of the kids tomorrow. Uncle Ed, the weather looks promising & no excuse! If you remember me, this is your chance to get mad/even - otherwise, tabulae rasae and prepare for a shock? Cyde Weys, I hope you'll be able to make it -- I'll remember that revolving X forever, smiling. Raul654: I'm an officer of law -- be there. Or else. Avb 04:26, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

I plan to be there, dependent upon how well I'm doing in my food poisoning recovery. If I have a problem while at church, I won't be there. --Scottandrewhutchins 13:04, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

I don't really consider myself an active Wikipedian-or a Wikipedian in general, to be frank-other than my increasingly rare contributions, but this does sound like like it could be a lot of fun, and I've never shied away from meeting people from the world of the InTaRwEbz. Depending upon the weather this might be something worth trying. So put me down as a very tentative "yes." Ruthfulbarbarity 19:18, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Sounds great. Hopefully I can make it.kc12286 19:42, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Honestly, I don't know if I'll be back in Miami for school at this time. But if I'm still in New York, I'll try to get there.—Ryūlóng (竜龍) 20:49, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

I might make it out. If so, I'll bring my baseball glove and some friends! --Nemilar 22:28, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

I will do my best to come; give me about a fifty-fifty chance. Great idea! paul klenktalk 08:42, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm not an outdoors person and I'm a little shy, but I am still interested and am considering it. Tinlinkin 10:31, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

If I will be somewhere around, I would like to come too :) --Wizzard 22:38, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

I might be around. I'm working in Lower Manhattan by the financial district. But I just hope I come back from my business trip as soon as possible to join the event. --Mbhskid520 June 21 19:31

I might attend. A reminder as the date gets closer would be appreciated. Raul654 05:00, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

PS - I'll be in Florida for the rain-date, so if the scheduled date is rained out, I won't be able to make the rescheduled date. Raul654 20:57, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

If I can -- there are people here I want to actually see. DGG 06:20, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

An old friend from out of town will be visiting me that weekend. So, I will only go if a) she's down too (not gonna bother finding out this far in advance) or b) it rains (I am free on the raindate)! -Seidenstud 06:16, 27 June 2007 (UTC)

Hmmm ... I've been dying to wind the Miata up through the twisty-turns on Route 6 just south of Bear Mountain Bridge (on the Hudson River y'all) ... and it would be our 32nd anniversary (we could get a nice room at the Day's Inn in Elmsford and a very nice dinner at Jennifer's ... mmm) ... let me see what can be done! :-) JimScott 17:30, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

I'd like to come, but I may be doing a ballpark tour in the Midwest on the date. If I'm in town, I'll do my best to attend. So right now I'm a solid maybe.EnjoysButter 06:54, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

I'll be out of town. If you get rained out, I'll likely make it. Sorry. EnjoysButter 19:14, 4 August 2007 (UTC)

I'd love to come, but unfortunately there's the slight inconvenience of the Atlantic Ocean. I'll be with you in spirit, however. David Mestel(Talk) 03:47, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

It's now likely that I can't come this time, since I'll be giving a talk at Wikimania. Don't think I'll get back that quick, to be there on the 12th. If it rains and the picnic happen on the 19th, then I may come after all. --Aude(talk) 04:30, 13 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the invite but Buffalo is 400 miles away. Next year maybe somewhere more central, like Syracuse or Albany? Hell, Rockland County is 2 hours closer for Western New Yorkers...--CastAStone|(talk) 15:33, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

It's easy to get from Brooklyn (where I live) to Central Park but unfortunately I'll be out of town for a little over a week when this event is happening. Hopefully next year though, have fun!--Bigtimepeace| talk | contribs 16:28, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately I'm going to have to add my whole "I'd come if I could but I'm out of town!" though if by some chance the rain date ends up in play, I'm there. --mordicai. 20:20, 19 June 2007 (UTC)

Not of age and I couldn't get a ride anyway. Maybe another time. Lemmy12 02:02, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, it sounds like fun, but I am 300 miles away in northern upstate New York. If the event was within range, I would definitely attend. Okuzaone 04:01, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, I wish I could go, but I could never get parental permission. Thanks for the invite, though! Lizzysama 04:51, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, currently in the Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines for my freshman year... sadly I'll be coming back to New York on March of the next year... so just have fun and enjoy! -chris^_^ 09:16, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, I'll be at camp. Plus, I don't even know if children under 18 can attend, and even if they could, my parents would surely disapprove. Smartyshoe 18:35, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

People under 18 can attend. We are meeting in Central Park, not a bar. All pretty tame stuff. --David Shankbone 18:44, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

True, but they need their parents permission for both practical and legal reasons. And I don't have mine.

Sorry, but I will be on vacation in Newfoundland that week. Please keep me in mind for future meetups, especially if they are in Boston or Worcester, as both of those are closer to where I live. --Tckma 19:51, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

I would love to, but NYC is a 6+ hour drive and I don't know anybody who would be willing to drive me (I don't own my own car). Have fun though. TJ Spyke 21:50, 20 June 2007 (UTC)

I won't be in NY that week, otherwise I would love to attend. Steggall 02:43 21 June 2007 (UTC)

thanks so much for the invite. would love to come, but will be out of town on vacation then. J. Van Meter 01:14, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

Sadly have previous engagement on the main date. Thank you kindly for the invite, regardless. Nick Curtis 10:25, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

As much as I like Wikipedia, I'm not THAT into it to attend a meet-up... not just yet. Maybe next time. Thanks though. --Jon Ace 01:24, 23 June 2007 (UTC)

Maybe some other time. Thank you for the invitation.Dragonbite 03:47, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

I live in Buffalo, and there's that whole parent thing, so sorry! Sounds fun though. Dr.HannibalLecter 02:24, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

I'd love to be there, but all weekends in August are tied up with community picnics on Saturdays and family reunions on Sundays in Pennsylvania/Maryland. Doc ♬ talk 20:23, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I don't think I'll be making it. I'm leaving for school not too long after that, so I'll be busy shopping and packing. =( --Jen 00:34, 4 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm moving to Los Angeles at the end of July. Sorry! However, I will always be a New Yorker at heart, so I'll still keep an eye on the meetups in case I'm in NY for the next one. KafzielTalk 04:28, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

Sorry. I'm poor, and I don't have any form of transportation to use. I doubt my parents would allow me to go just because my favorite site on the internet invited me to go. To everyone else: Have a great and fun time!Michaeldsuarez 11:29, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm thousands of miles away, but I still dread for NYC... I'd come if someone pays :) --Filip (§) 21:29, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Will be on vacation in Montauk...maybe next year? -- BlastOButter42SeeHearSpeak 04:15, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

I was considering all summer attempting to make this meetup, but ultimately this is too close to other can't-miss events scheduled for me (both on August 11 and August 17). I live approximately four hours away (near Washington, DC during the summer, near Boston during the school year), but I don't mind the updates. There just might be a chance I could attend a future event in New York (I was there just last week). -- tariqabjotu 17:44, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm based in DC, so the travel is kinda prohibitive. Thanks, though. --fuzzy510 17:45, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

2nd half of Sunday in NYC does not work for me. Sat or Sun in Boston would. Thanks for the invitation. Solarapex 11:32, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

As much as I'd love to come, I live in DC, way too far away. --Defender 911 14:40, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for the invitation. I regret to inform you that I will be unable to attend this event. Best wishes to everyone. CTS10866 21:30, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Sunday simply doesn't work for me, and I suspect, many out-of-towners. There's no time for me to get home post-meetup at night in time to go to work the next morning. Now if it was on Saturday, I would be able to attend — I'd take the early Chinatown bus up to New York, attend the meetup, couchsurf the night, and take the early Chinatown bus the next morning to DC. --Cyde Weys 03:00, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Sadly, I already drove up from Western Florida in late-June & early-July 2007, so I won't be able to do it this time. Which is too bad, because my previous trip was short and I didn't get to do everything I wanted at the time. ---- DanTD 02:54, 4 August 2007 (UTC)

I'm afraid I'll be killed if I skip a wedding. Hopfully next time around! Ganfon 00:20, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

Yamaka122...:) 13:45, 5 August 2007 (UTC) Out of town,but would love to come next year!!

It's too much of a hassle for me to get there, but maybe next time! Dan 17:24, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

Thanks a lot,but I live in Vancouver,so it's kinda far for me.Anyway,keep me on the list for further parties (Teodobre)

I'd love to come, but its a bit far for someone too young to drive, and I just got the invite. Mabye in a couple of years. I could probably come to one in Philadelphia... FerralMoonrender (MyTalk • MyContribs • EmailMe) 07:20, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

I would love to attend but just learned of this event about ten minutes ago. I have another event planned (seeing an old childhood friend who I haven't seen in eighteen years) up in Woodstock. I will definitely come to the next one if all is in line with the cosmos.

More ambitious, stroll the street fair in Madison Avenue in the 50s, then E60th to the Park, through the Central Park Zoo, stop at the Model Boat Basin to see the nesting wild hawks, then walk over Cedar Hill to the Meetup.

Afterwards, see a free outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte Theater (near the meet-up site) in the park that night at 8PM. See here and this too. If you want to go, you'll have to pick up the (free) tickets earlier in the day, though. Ticket line starts at 6am in the morning, and if you don't get in line before 10am, you're not as likely to get seats.

See a free outdoor performance of Farquar on the Run: THE RECRUITING OFFICER at 7:00 pm (The New York Classical Theatre) at West 103rd Street and Central Park West, inside the Park.

The picnic took place in Central Park as scheduled, where scheduled, on a sunny, hot and very humid afternoon. Uncle Ed had shopped for food, and others chipped in with items or money. Makemi's rolling shopping basket was used to transport supplies and, later, trash.

A lovely time was had by all, and there was a very collegial atmosphere. Some frisbee playing occurred, with minimal damage to nearby groups of innocent park-goers, but the heat and humidity of the day prevented too much physical activity. After initial milling around and snacking/lunching, many attendees settled, cross-legged, into a circle to discuss a number of issues listed below.